[Aikoku Station in Obihiro] Aikoku Traffic Memorial Hall Is Famous for Steam Locomotive and Lucky Train Tickets

Aikoku Station

Aikoku Station (愛国駅) is a former station in Aikoku-cho located in the south part of Obihiro city, and was closed in 1987. The station is preserved as Aikoku Traffic Memorial Hall (愛国交通記念館) at present, and still has some traces of the past. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge.

Appearance of Building

Because this was a lucky station name (The kofuku means "A happiness" in Japanese), getting a train ticket with its station name became popular at that time. When a romantic slogan "From Aikoku to Kofuku (愛国から幸福行き * From Country of Love to Happiness)" particularly was announced in 1973, train tickets from Aikoku Station (Aikoku means Country of Love in Japanese) to the Kofuku Station became very popular. At that time, Ms. Yoko Seri (芹洋子), a Japanese singer, sung a song "愛の国から幸福へ (From Country of Love to Happiness)". However, Hiroo Line (広尾線) was abolished for money-losing routes. Although the Kofuku Station was closed down, a station building has been preserved.

Movie of Aikoku Station

A convenience store is built around here. The park is near Obihiro Airport, too. By the way, a highway bus "Potato Liner (ポテトライナー)" runs between the Obihiro and the Sapporo, and a express bus "North Liner-go (ノースライナー号)" runs between the Obihiro and Asahikawa.

List of Highway Bus

Refer to following companies for the highway bus service between Obihiro and Sapporo or Asahikawa.

Kofuku Station

Kofuku Station (幸福駅) is a former station in Kofuku-cho located in the south part of Obihiro city, and was closed in 1987. Around here was originally named "幸震 (Satsunai)", but reading out loud is difficult, so they used "福 (Fuku)" and renamed "Kofuku" because a lot of emigrants from Fukui Prefecture (福井県) settled around here. The station is preserved as a traffic playground at present, and still has some traces of the past. Admission free. A parking lot is free of charge. Article is here

Appearance of Building

OBIHIRO

Obihiro (帯広) that about 170,000 people live is the 6th largest commercial city in Hokkaido, and is one of regional hub cities of the Eastern Hokkaido area. It has flourished as the center of the Tokachi district. The Obihiro is also a stockyard for agricultural products in whole Tokachi district, and Potato, Beet, Wheat and Chinese Yam are famous as a local product. As for a climate, it is hot that temperature rises to nearly 30 degrees in a summer, and it is cold that temperature falls to nearly -20 degrees in a winter. It has a large temperature gap, but it has less snow relatively in the Hokkaido. Therefore skating is popular in the winter. Mr. Hiroyasu Shimizu, an olympic gold medalist, come from the Obihiro, and there is much competition population of the skating. Article is here

Open Spacea in front of Obihiro Station

Look of Aikoku Station

A former station named "Aikoku Traffic Memorial Hall", an old steam locomotive, an old platform, a park and a public restroom are built at the site. Railroad-related goods are displayed at the building, and commemorative tickets are put on walls. Visitors can buy the ticket near a shop. The former station is designated as a real life sacred place for couples, so a lot of couples come. In addition, Railfans come, too. By the way, the parking lot has the public restroom, and a lot of salarymen often use this place, too.

View from Old PlatformCommemorative Tickets Are Pasted on WallEveryone Pasts Commemorative Tickets with Their Praying Look of BuildingMonument of Former Aikoiku StationSteam Locomotive Class 9600 Type 19671ParkHeart Shaped PoolPublic Restroom

Admission fee

Free of charge

Parking lot

Free parking is provided (10 Cars)

Business hours

09:00-17:00

Regular closing day

From December to March * It opens a business only on Sunday during winter season.

[Nature, Onsen and Tasty Foods] Good!Hokkiado!, I Introduce sightseeing spots such as Nature, Hot Springs and Tasty Foods in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is located in the far east of the world. A lot of attractive things such as tasty foods, hot springs and nature are filled. I want everybody to know those by all means and introduce about Hokkaido to you without everybody's permission. Please visit the Hokkaido if you are interested in the Hokkaido, and you experience the charms, please be impressed! I am studying English now. I am sorry if my English sentences are incorrect.